IEU seeks meeting with Education Minister to protect members

Our federal union has written to the Minister for Education Dan Tehan seeking urgent discussions regarding the newly announced JobKeeper allowance - specifically regarding our concerns that it does not adequately deal with the situation of many casual relief teachers as well as school support staff.

Concerns have also been raised with the Minister that non-government schools are unlikely to qualify for the JobKeeper allowance.

Casual relief teachers are especially vulnerable during the current COVID-19 crisis as many are facing the upcoming period without income.

Our union believes that there are innovative models of recognition of prior service with an employer that can be developed in consultation with our union which could form the basis of income provision for these employees.

Non-government schools unlikely to qualify for JobKeeper

The JobKeeper initiative is unlikely to apply in non-government schools because of the eligibility rules – schools continue to receive significant government funding meaning they will not have had a 30-50% loss of income over the comparative period.